October is turning the Rio Grande into one of the best bets in northern New Mexico, and the clearest sign came this week from below Taos Junction Bridge. In the state fishing report published October 14, an angler fishing a fly rod caught and released six brown trout there, including a fish that measured 18 inches. That is the kind of report Carson country anglers wait for all fall.
Cooler water is the story behind the bite. As summer heat fades, trout feed more actively through the day, and the Rio Grande around Pilar and the bridge gives anglers a mix of wild browns and stocked rainbows in big, open canyon water. An earlier fall report noted rainbow trout taking olive streamer flies at Taos Junction Bridge, a useful clue for anyone swinging a streamer through deeper runs this weekend.
Stocking helps the picture, too. The September stocking summary for Enchanted Circle waters listed the Rio Grande above Pilar and the stretch from Pilar toward Cochiti Lake as both stocked on September 8 with triploid rainbow trout averaging 11 inches. Those fish add to the resident browns, so a morning on the river can produce a rainbow on one cast and a heavier brown in the next pool.
The setting is part of the appeal. The Forest Service describes the Carson National Forest as home to some of the best trout fishing in New Mexico, with trails that run from the Rio Grande Gorge to the highest ground in the state. Fishing the gorge is not a casual stroll, though. Access often means a steep hike in and out, footing can be slick, and the river deserves respect. Pack more water than seems necessary, wear sturdy wading boots, tell someone the plan, and leave time to climb out before dark.
Before fishing, check the current New Mexico fishing rules for the Rio Grande. The 2025-2026 rules list the river as Special Trout Water, which means stretch-specific rules can apply, so anglers should confirm the section they plan to fish rather than assume one rule covers the whole river. The same rules note there is no length limit on smallmouth bass in Rio Arriba and Taos counties, another species present in these warmer, lower stretches.
For tactics, think fall. Work streamers slowly along banks and boulders early and late, try nymphs through the deeper runs when the sun is high, and keep an eye out for rising fish on calm afternoons. Browns in October can be territorial and willing to chase a larger fly, while stocked rainbows often reward a well-drifted nymph or a small spinner for spin anglers where regulations allow.
There is no need to overcomplicate the trip. Pick an access point near Pilar or the bridge, fish the first good runs thoroughly instead of covering miles of water, and let the canyon set the pace. With browns moving, rainbows recently stocked, and the gorge glowing with fall color, this is a fine October window on the Rio Grande, and it will not last forever.